Retired teachers hope for 1 1/2% pay raise

It's been six years since retired teachers in Louisiana have had a raise, and some, especially older retirees, say it's a struggle to get by. But there's a move to provide at least a small increase this year.

"Because we in a fixed income, it would be tremendous help for me," said retired teacher, Lizzie Syas.

She says a 1 1/2% increase in her retirement check would help, even if amounts to only around twenty dollars a month.

"The older you get the more medicine you have. And 'course this month the light bill was extremely high. And I think in most of the time we can't get help from anything else," said Syas.

Syas says the legislators need to remember those retired teachers, many of whom helped them get where they are today.

"Retired teachers are the reason that some of them are there and we taught some of them and they should continue to think about us," she said.

She says six years is a long time to go without a cost of living raise. Syas and others gathered for a Calcasieu retired teachers day celebration.

Executive director from the Louisiana Retired Teachers Association Graig Luscombe says retired teachers contribute more to the economy than most realize. He says $1.64 billion dollars in benefits were paid to retired teachers last year.

"Ninety five per cent of those benefits stayed in the State of Louisiana. Retired teachers along with all the other members of their communities drive our local economies," said Luscombe.

Luscombe says the funds for an increase come from revenue generated by retirement system investments.

"The investments of the teachers retirement system were superb last year. They had double digit rates of return at about 13.41% and based upon those returns funds go into that account and then are disbursed to retirees when all of the conditions are met,"said Luscombe.

Those conditions include approval from the legislature.

For more on Luscombe's comments and the legislative issues facing retirees look for the web extras at www.kplctv.com

No major changes are expected with the forecast for the next few days. And that means the heat and humidity will remain in place along with a slight chance of rain. A cold front will arrive later this week and should bring a slight drop in humidity just in time for the weekend. Temperatures will be warm and humid overnight into Wednesday morning with lows ranging from the mid 60s north of I-10 to the mid 70s at the coast.

No major changes are expected with the forecast for the next few days. And that means the heat and humidity will remain in place along with a slight chance of rain. A cold front will arrive later this week and should bring a slight drop in humidity just in time for the weekend. Temperatures will be warm and humid overnight into Wednesday morning with lows ranging from the mid 60s north of I-10 to the mid 70s at the coast.

The defense has rested in Stacy Johnson's first-degree murder trial. Johnson is accused of murdering Robert Colston Sr. Johnson was 16 at the time the 79-year-old Colston died. When court resumes at 1 p.m., the court is expected to discuss with the defendant whether he understands his right to testify. KPLC's Theresa Schmidt is in the courtroom. Follow her HERE. A juvenile relative of Stacy Johnson took the stand today as the defense put on its case. The witness dispute...More >>

The defense has rested in Stacy Johnson's first-degree murder trial. Johnson is accused of murdering Robert Colston Sr. Johnson was 16 at the time the 79-year-old Colston died. When court resumes at 1 p.m., the court is expected to discuss with the defendant whether he understands his right to testify. KPLC's Theresa Schmidt is in the courtroom. Follow her HERE. A juvenile relative of Stacy Johnson took the stand today as the defense put on its case. The witness dispute...More >>

A Vinton couple is under arrest after a malnourished child brought to a hospital was found to have a lacerated kidney and several sores, bruises and rashes, authorities said. Detectives found the home in which the 5-year-old girl lived to be unkempt, with animal urine and feces throughout the residence, said Cmdr. James McGee, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office spokesman. Three other children were living in the home - a 9-year-old, a 7-year-old and a 3-year-old. The ch...More >>

A Vinton couple is under arrest after a malnourished child brought to a hospital was found to have a lacerated kidney and several sores, bruises and rashes, authorities said. Detectives found the home in which the 5-year-old girl lived to be unkempt, with animal urine and feces throughout the residence, said Cmdr. James McGee, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office spokesman. Three other children were living in the home - a 9-year-old, a 7-year-old and a 3-year-old. The ch...More >>

A gas station casino north of Moss Bluff was robbed at gunpoint late Sunday night. Authorities say that a man entered Buddy's Casino, at 6191 U.S. 171 North, with a handgun around 11:40 p.m. Sunday. The man forced an employee into a back room and demanded money, said Cmdr. James McGee, with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office. After stealing money, the suspect was seen on surveillance footage leaving the casino on foot, headed toward 171. The suspect is described as approximate...More >>

A gas station casino north of Moss Bluff was robbed at gunpoint late Sunday night. Authorities say that a man entered Buddy's Casino, at 6191 U.S. 171 North, with a handgun around 11:40 p.m. Sunday. The man forced an employee into a back room and demanded money, said Cmdr. James McGee, with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office. After stealing money, the suspect was seen on surveillance footage leaving the casino on foot, headed toward 171. The suspect is described as approximate...More >>